It has been interesting to see the old Dad Lemmon house slowly being restored. When we first started, there were signs of neglect at every aspect, with dead trees, crumbled walls, loose doors, and half-finished projects from the previous owners.

Since the house is an important part of Lemmon’s history, I’m glad Ruth and Ron saw the potential in something others would call a disaster or impossible. In fact, I’m surprised the city fathers hadn’t purchased the house long ago, restoring it and making it available to the people in Lemmon.

Nevertheless, the lovely old home is going through the tedious process of day by day diligent work, often into the evening hours. As each room is patiently repaired and then beautifully restored, step by step, it is a privilege to be part of that process.

As I work, I wonder about the parties, the joys, the sorrows, the tears and even the babies that were born in this house. What memories do other past residents have? My vivid memories are only a small microcosm of the history of the house, but they are mine and they are real.

The other day Ruth (who also remembers playing in the house) and I were discussing her plans for the stained-glass window she plans to put in the front door that now has a broken window. As I imagined the play of light with the insets of stained glass picking up bright slices of sunshine, I saw the beauty He desires to create in us.

Truly, as the Lord puts into effect the process of restoration in our lives, He, the Master Carpenter, knows just what needs to be scraped away. He knows the wounds of our past that need to be healed. He has the blue prints for our lives and what it will take to complete the project.

Like the new bathroom that is being added, in Ezekiel 36:26, God says He will create in us something entirely new in that restoration process. Isn’t that wonderful!

This house is teaching me much about restoration in my own life. We are told in Proverbs 14:1 that every wise woman builds her own house and in Psalms 127:1 that unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain. I understand this to mean that the labor – the work – the choices are ours, but the plans and the blueprints (the Bible) we are to follow are God’s.

Prayer: Dear God, You are truly the Master Carpenter! You scrape away and heal my wounds as I go through life on earth. I look forward to the day when I meet You in Heaven completely restored. Amen.